Takigakure, the Hidden Waterfall Village.
Some villagers watched the unfamiliar faces entering the village with mild curiosity, but no one panicked. Although Takigakure appeared isolated, it was still a ninja village. From time to time, people from the Land of Waterfall would come here to register missions, so outsiders were not unheard of.
Takigakure's current leader was a man somewhat reminiscent of the Third Hokage.
Not in terms of strength—certainly not—but rather in age and temperament. If the Third Hokage had an older cousin, he might look something like this man. Their usual demeanor was similar as well: gentle, approachable, and kind.
However, unlike the Hokage, who despite his age could still display an awe-inspiring presence and unquestionable Kage-level strength, this man looked entirely ordinary. He resembled nothing more than a harmless old gentleman.
Perhaps his chakra had long since declined due to age. Or perhaps, for a village like Takigakure, what was needed from its leader was not overwhelming combat power, but someone more akin to a capable steward.
His name was Shibuki.
In truth, the Takigakure hidden behind the waterfalls was a "village" in the strictest sense. Its scale was incomparable to Konoha's. Including civilians, the total population barely exceeded two thousand. In terms of overall combat strength, not only could it not be compared to Konoha—even Amegakure could probably bully it with ease.
Yet such a small, peaceful ninja village could not be said to be completely devoid of talent.
After all, it had once produced a rather extraordinary individual—
Kakuzu.
Someone who had survived an encounter with the First Hokage and continued living to this day.
Granted, the First Hokage may have merely kicked him once without much thought—but an exchange was still an exchange. And realistically speaking, Kakuzu had "won" in the end.
After all… he outlived the First Hokage.
Reality was simple: whoever lived longer was stronger.
"Leader Shibuki," Kakashi said seriously, "since the situation is urgent, please explain the Seven-Tails' current condition directly."
He was genuinely handling the negotiations with professional seriousness.
They were seated in what resembled a council chamber. Opposite the three Konoha ninja were Leader Shibuki, two elders, and a small girl about the same age as Mirai.
While Kakashi spoke with the village leadership, what was Hagoromo doing?
He was silently locking eyes with the little girl.
Since she had been brought into this meeting, there was clearly a reason. If Hagoromo's guess was correct, she was likely Takigakure's next candidate for jinchūriki.
That assumption was more than reasonable.
Her name was Fū.
Getting straight to the point suited Shibuki perfectly. The village was already facing a crisis.
"Our previous Seven-Tails jinchūriki has passed away," Shibuki said. "Before his death, he sensed that as his strength declined, his chakra would no longer be sufficient to suppress the tailed beast. He foresaw that after his passing, the village would be unable to handle the Seven-Tails."
"So, using the last of his power, he erected a barrier and temporarily sealed the tailed beast within the Heavenly Pool."
"After that… his strength was no longer enough to sustain the sealing formula."
"And as you know, tailed beasts will resist desperately to avoid dying alongside their jinchūriki. A few days ago, the Seven-Tails finally broke through the seal."
The "Heavenly Pool" he referred to was the source of the massive waterfall concealing Takigakure.
At the summit was a vast lake, surrounded by mountains like a giant volcanic crater. The waterfall itself was the only outlet.
"We lack the power to deal with the tailed beast ourselves," Shibuki continued. "That is why we requested assistance. We hope Konoha can re-seal the Seven-Tails into this child."
He gestured toward Fū.
To be honest, Shibuki did not fully trust the three Konoha ninja. Setting aside their numbers, they were simply too young to inspire absolute confidence.
Still, Takigakure was the one asking for help. They were in no position to make excessive demands.
"In that case, please lead us to the tailed beast's location," Kakashi said. "Hagoromo—any questions?"
"Just one."
Hagoromo finally turned his gaze toward Shibuki.
Meanwhile, the little girl smiled proudly, as if she had just won something.
Did she understand what awaited her?
Or had she already accepted it?
"No matter the ninja's rank, fighting a tailed beast requires going all-out. Any hesitation can result in being killed instead. That means there's a real chance the tailed beast could be killed accidentally during the operation."
He spoke calmly.
"Is that acceptable?"
It was the core question.
Accidentally killing a tailed beast was always a possibility—but for Hagoromo, killing it was practically guaranteed.
"It's fine."
To everyone's surprise, Shibuki answered without hesitation.
"Leader—" someone behind him started to speak, but Shibuki raised a hand to stop them.
"Perhaps tailed beasts are simply too great a burden for villages like ours," he said quietly. "Sometimes I even think it would be better if they could be eliminated entirely—though I know that's impossible."
Leader… you really shouldn't have said that.
"But…" Shibuki hesitated, remembering what happened when a tailed beast died.
"Don't worry," Hagoromo said. "If the tailed beast revives, Konoha will assist you again."
That was what he said—
Though in all likelihood, if the Seven-Tails died this time, it would never come back.
"Then let's begin the operation."
The Konoha team moved efficiently. After only a brief rest, they immediately prepared to act.
"You're lucky," Hagoromo said, standing up and gently patting Fū on the head.
Becoming a jinchūriki was hardly something one would call lucky—it was usually a lifelong curse.
But Fū was lucky.
Because she wouldn't become one.
Seven people participated in the operation: the three from Konoha led by Hagoromo, Leader Shibuki, his three guards—and the prospective jinchūriki, Fū.
Guided by Takigakure ninja, they climbed steep stone steps toward the Heavenly Pool.
The thunderous roar of water grew louder.
A massive torrent burst from a gap in the mountains and plunged straight down the cliff, creating a breathtaking natural spectacle.
A barrier had been erected at the waterfall's mouth.
This could not escape Hagoromo's notice. According to Shibuki, the Seven-Tails was sealed within.
"A strong barrier indeed," Hagoromo said. "Strong enough to temporarily seal a tailed beast."
"Yes," Shibuki replied with a sigh. "That was our previous jinchūriki's final effort."
A truly admirable jinchūriki.
Many jinchūriki were treated unjustly, and defection was common. Someone who could still think of the village on their deathbed was exceedingly rare.
"Before we release the seal, let's go over the plan," Hagoromo said, stopping just short of opening it.
"Yamato, Kakashi—you'll guard the entrance and prevent the tailed beast from escaping. I'll handle the tailed beast directly."
Kakashi and Yamato exchanged a glance, then nodded. They trusted Hagoromo's strength.
Hagoromo wasn't excluding them out of arrogance, nor was he dismissing their abilities.
On the contrary—Yamato's Wood Release was uniquely effective at suppressing tailed beasts, much like Uzumaki chakra.
And that was exactly what worried Hagoromo.
If Yamato joined in, what if the Seven-Tails were subdued too quickly?
That would be good for Takigakure—but it wouldn't align with Hagoromo's plan.
As for why Wood Release was so effective against tailed beasts?
Perhaps it was a matter of hierarchy. After all, the progenitor of the tailed beasts—the Ten-Tails' Divine Tree—was, at its core, a colossal perennial plant.
"Alone? Are you sure?" Shibuki asked worriedly.
"Probably fine," Kakashi replied.
Then, noticing Hagoromo's name, realization dawned on the leader.
"Could it be… you're the legendary White Yaksha?"
"Maybe we'll get to see that rumored Lightning Release technique up close today," Yamato said wistfully. He had always wanted to see the so-called Lightning Release technique in person.
Unfortunately for him, that wasn't happening today.
Hagoromo had something new in mind.
"I'm opening the barrier."
At the instant the seal was released, an insect-like screech erupted—amplified countless times. Everyone instinctively covered their ears.
"Now then…"
Hagoromo curled his fingers, interlocking them into a unique hand seal. His left four fingers crossed against the second joints of his right three fingers, his right index finger touched his left thumb, and his right thumb pressed against his left pinky.
With this unfamiliar seal, he released the mark on his forehead.
This state represented another extreme in chakra manipulation.
As immense chakra surged outward, Hagoromo finally revealed a portion of the results of his years of cultivation.
Sage Mode — activated.
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